The cold stone hallways felt oppressive as you walked through them, even though today was one that you had been looking forward to for a long time, the day your parents of minor nobility had managed to pull enough strings to get you an apprenticeship under the kingdom's grand general.

Slowly pushing open the door to the council-room, you were expecting dozens of people eagerly discussing military doctrine or recent battles. Instead, you were struck with a deafening silence, only broken by occasional wooden clicks and taps. In the center of the room stood your new mentor with his back turned to you, facing and moving pawns across a massive table, simulating troop movements.

For nearly a minute, you simply stood in silence, waiting for any form of greeting or pause in his work. After what felt like an eternity, without turning his head Traust finally spoke to you, his voice gruff and heavy.

"Have you come to learn or simply gawk? I'm sure a noble like you would rather be...frolicing with some exotic whores or enjoying a banquet. Go on and leave, I won't stop you."